How to make special speeches: presenting an award
Speaking in public need no longer be something to be feared and avoided if you view those occasions as opportunities to be sought and prized. A public speech, no matter how brief, increases your visibility. So take advantage of the opportunity, for the podium can help pave your way to the executive suite once you learn the tricks of speech-making. Here's another opportunity to help you make an impact…
1. Give the background to the award.
Mention why people are gathered together for this presentation and provide, as appropriate, some background information relating to this particular award - its meaning, uses, history, previous winners, the selection process etc.
2. Elaborate on this person’s achievements.
Provide details as to why this person has been selected for honour in this way. Support the selection with evidence of the person’s accomplishments.
3. Punctuate your speech with appropriate attention-grabbers.
Do a little homework. Research a few books of ‘quotable quotes’ and drop one or two relevant quips into your presentation speech. For example, couple the accomplishments of your awardee with such statements as…’It isn’t how much you know, but what you get done that the world rewards and remembers’ or ‘The life of achievement is a life of hard work’ or ‘Footprints in the sands of time were not made by sitting down’ or, as Helen Keller said, ‘I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish all tasks as though they were great and noble. The world is moved along, not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker’.
4. Make the formal presentation.
Conclude your comments with the statement: ‘On behalf of …, I’m delighted to present … with this well-deserved award. Our sincere congratulations!’ Shake the recipient’s hand, step back, and allow the audience to hear the awardee’s words of acceptance.
